Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg has defended his company’s advertising in the face of criticism from Apple chief, Tim Cook.
Zuckerberg, while speaking to Time magazine, described comments made by Cook in September on advertising turning customers into “the product” as being “ridiculous”.
Following the leak of celebrity images, which was allegedly the result of a hack on Apple’s iCloud product, Cook issued a letter to defend his company’s security measures, but also stated: “A few years ago, users of Internet services began to realize that when an online service is free, you’re not the customer. You’re the product. But at Apple, we believe a great customer experience shouldn’t come at the expense of your privacy.”
Zuckerberg took issue with these comments and retorted: “A frustration I have is that a lot of people increasingly seem to equate an advertising business model with somehow being out of alignment with your customers. I think it’s the most ridiculous concept. What, you think because you’re paying Apple that you’re somehow in alignment with them? If you were in alignment with them, then they’d make their products a lot cheaper!”
Google’s Eric Schmidt also responded to Cook’s comments in October when he claimed that “someone didn’t brief him correctly on Google’s policies. It’s unfortunate for him.”
The Facebook chief executive was also dismissive of rival social network, Ello’s chances of success if it continues its aims of operating with any advertising revenue.
